"They found peace and success internationally, and chose to come back and shine a light on their homes, and use their personal profiles to raise their communities." Seasoned talent manager George Issaias with some eagle-eyed insight on how internationally-recognised African artists are giving back to the continent from whence they came.

The death of longtime Cuban ruler Fidel Castro last month led to tributes for the larger-than-life revolutionary leader from all over the world. In Africa, from the African Union's headquarters in Addis Ababa to Harare and Pretoria, leaders praised Castro’s contribution to anti-colonial struggles on the continent.

Lagos-based poet and mental health specialist Dami Ajayi writes about Yaba Left and the journey of a disused railway building from being an asylum in the 1900s to becoming one of the biggest psychiatric hospitals in Nigeria today. He considers the scourge of mental illness in Lagos and the disparities between the perception of mental illness by mental health professionals and members of society at large.

There are elements of hip-hop that can be used to advance civic engagement and validate black lives. Tiisetso Tlelima attended the seventh edition of Black Portraitures, a trans-Atlantic indaba, and discovered more about the place held by hip-hop in the civil rights struggle of black people.

The sex toy trade is flourishing across South Africa as couples are increasingly relaxed with the idea of buying adult toys. The negative social stigmas around the adult toy industry seem to be slowly crumbling. Désir a luxury sex toy e-commerce store is recording month-on-month increases in the sales of couples’ sex toys, and the company says the sale of sex toys is now evenly balanced between both sexes, as the subject becomes more acceptable.

In much of Africa, HIV is no longer the medieval plague it used to be. Which is not to say the virus still doesn’t pose a significant threat to the continent’s future. HIV is a wily fiend and our hard-earned gains can be quickly eroded if complacency slips in. Thankfully, as Kenyan HIV activist Jacqueline Wambui explains to Dr. Diana Wangari in this interview, science is helping keep the virus at bay by giving women greater control in the bedroom than they've traditionally had.

Violence of any kind is damaging. But violence in the home is doubly so since it should be a place filled with love and understanding – not fear and resentment. The ones who suffer the most are the children, as James narrates.

Break ups are hard; especially if you did everything you could in the relationship. This is doubly difficult for guys, who don’t know what to do with the negative emotion welling up inside. Is there a way past the pain?

“He did it in a classroom, the staff room and in his house”.
12-year-old Mary and 13-year-old Mercy (not their real names) were sexually abused by a deputy head teacher on numerous occasions and on diverse dates. He assaulted them in different places in and around their school. During the investigation, it also emerged that the teacher had been transferred from another school due to committing the same violations. He was a serial rapist. Period.

The position of the aide has allowed politicians to dispense political favours to friends, fans and relatives, but surely there is a limit to the number of aides one politician can have, writes Anne Mucheke.

Doomsday clock, a magazine founded by the people who built the atomic bomb, say we will probably edge closer to annihilation when Donald Trump takes over as president. The danger is not just because of nuclear weapons, but climate change as well. In a letter to African leaders, Mukoma wa Ngugi argues that Africa can offer the world an alternative dream of peaceful and clean-energy egalitarian societies.

Humanity is facing its biggest challenges ever. More, not less, international cooperation is urgently needed. African nations could set an example for the world by sticking with the International Criminal Court.

Besides the United States, Zimbabwe is the only other country that uses the US dollar as its primary currency. But a new currency known as “bond notes” might be on the way to correct this anomaly, writes Kudzayi Zvinavashe.

In much of Africa, HIV is no longer the medieval plague it used to be. Which is not to say the virus still doesn’t pose a significant threat to the continent’s future. HIV is a wily fiend and our hard-earned gains can be quickly eroded if complacency slips in. Thankfully, as Kenyan HIV activist Jacqueline Wambui explains to Dr. Diana Wangari in this interview, science is helping keep the virus at bay by giving women greater control in the bedroom than they've traditionally had.

Egyptian human rights advocate, Yara Sallam, stood up to be counted when Egypt's revolution was in full tilt and paid the price for it: fifteen months in prison. The prison spell did nothing to diminish her resolve and since her release last year, the outspoken activist has shown no signs of backing down from the fight to ensure that the powers that be uphold the human rights of every Egyptian. This Is Africa's Nancy Onyango caught up with Sallam on the sidelines of the recently concluded Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID) forum in Brazil. She opened up about why some North Africans don't feel "African," her experience behind bars and why she thinks Egypt's revolution is far from over.

Amina Doherty is an African-Caribbean feminist and women’s rights advocate. Her work is centered on raising awareness for social justice through movement-building and innovative approaches to philanthropy. Her work takes many forms: art exhibitions, community programmes, cultural events and grant-making initiatives. She is committed to promoting justice and working towards social change through the intersection of art, culture and activism. Nancy Onyango caught up with her on the sidelines of the Black Feminisms Forum (BFF), held in Bahia, Brazil in September 2016 ahead of the 13th Association for Women’s Rights in Development forum. They talked about what it means to be a feminist, collective self-care and the importance of listening to each other’s struggles.

Since the rise of Boko Haram, the media have painted a picture of Borno State in Nigeria as a place of death and destruction. Photojournalist Fati Abubakar, however, is using social media to challenge perceptions about her hometown. In ‘Bits of Borno’, her acclaimed online photo series, she documents the resilience of ordinary people in difficult times. Enajite Efemuaye caught up with her to talk about the power of visual storytelling, her love for photographing children and what media attention means for her work.

In July 2016, Lidudumalingani became the first male South African writer to win the Caine Prize for African Writing with his story ‘Memories we Lost,’ published in the anthology Incredible Journey: Stories That Move You. Lidudumalingani is described on the Caine Prize website as a writer, filmmaker and photographer, born in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, in a village called Zikhovane. His winning story is set in a rural area and deals with schizophrenia. TIA’s Bwesigye Bwa Mwesigire caught up with Lidudumalingani to talk about the Caine Prize, writing female characters, multi-media storytelling and the decolonisation of South African literature.

“He did it in a classroom, the staff room and in his house”.
12-year-old Mary and 13-year-old Mercy (not their real names) were sexually abused by a deputy head teacher on numerous occasions and on diverse dates. He assaulted them in different places in and around their school. During the investigation, it also emerged that the teacher had been transferred from another school due to committing the same violations. He was a serial rapist. Period.

2016 has had numerous surprises, one being the shocking defeat of The Gambian President Yahya Jammeh in the country’s presidential election by property developer Adama Barrow. Jammeh has been in office for the past 22 years, and few people would have predicted a Jammeh loss, let alone the Gambian leader conceding defeat with a smile on his face, and pledging to oversee a smooth transition. Despite the grand gesture by Jammeh conceding defeat, it’s even more surprising that African leaders who took to social media to congratulate U.S. President-elect Donald Trump have been conspicuously silent in congratulating opposition leader Barrow. Could President-elect Barrow’s win be causing some jitters?

Today Tanzania celebrates its independence, attained on this day in 1961. We commemorate the 55th anniversary of the independence of Tanzania from British colonial rule. Happy Independence Day to our Tanzanian brothers and sisters.

The 5th Uganda Press Photo Awards were held last month to showcase and honour the work of talented Ugandan photographers. The awards are organised by the Foreign Correspondents Association of Uganda, and they are divided into seven categories: creative, daily life, nature, portrait, news, sport and story. Today we publish John Batanudde’s stunning photograph, voted the top image in the Sport Category, and the finalists of the section.

Talented Nigerian musician, Wizkid is in contention for a Grammy award for his role in U.S. rapper Drake’s 2016 album, Views, nominated for Best Album. Wizkid is the only Nigerian in contention for an award at the 59th Grammy’s. Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a celebrated South African band received a nomination (Best World Music Album) for their album Walking In The Footsteps Of Our Fathers, and South African born fortepianist Kristian Bezuidenhout is also up for an award. A hearty congratulations.

The 5th Uganda Press Photo Awards were held last month, to showcase and honour the work of talented Ugandan photographers. The awards are organised by the Foreign Correspondents Association of Uganda, and they are divided into seven categories: creative, daily life, nature, portrait, news, sport and story. Today we publish Oscar Ntege’s beautiful and imaginative photograph, voted the top image in the Creative Category.

What does celebrating Halloween in African cities signify?

By
Bwesigye bwa Mwesigire on November 11, 2013 — Would localising European cultural practices make them African? Most importantly, would the Halloween parties attract their present patrons were they to be branded in African languages?

Shoppers check out some merchandise before Halloween in Pretoria, South Africa. Photo: Xinhua/Li Qihua

As some residents of African cities were preparing themselves for Halloween parties, their counterparts in Kigali were dealing with a strange announcement from the Ministry of Culture and Sports dated 1 November 2013. Halloween parties were banned in Rwanda and organisers of Halloween parties specifically instructed to halt their preparations. The minister justified the ban citing the foreignness of Halloween and the need to promote Rwandan Culture.

Some Rwandans were not happy about the ban. Mukiza Edwinwas one of the unhappy Rwandans. His Twitter feed on 1st and 2nd November reveals the discomfort with the ministerial ban:“Meanwhile between Kubandwa and Christianity, which is part of Rwandan culture and which isn’t?” he tweeted. [Kubandwa is the Kinyarwanda equivalent of ancestral worship.]

Another Rwandan, Christian Murera, makes the same point in her tweet: “in fact that is one of the few events we share with the western world. We didn’t have Christmas but we always had Halloween,” she tweeted. Mukiza replied: “So the Halloween theme should just change name to Guterekera/Kubandwa party.”

Would localising European cultural practices make them African? Would Halloween pass the Rwandan ministry of culture and sports’ test of Rwandaness were it translated into Kinyarwanda? Most importantly, would the Halloween parties attract their present patrons were they to be branded in African languages?

The Rwandan ban of Halloween parties reveals the response the Rwandan government prefers in dealing with the globalisation of culture. The critics of the ban view it as a redundant attempt at curbing the impact of globalisation whereas the government reasons that Rwandan culture deserves protection; it is for a similar reason that the French maintain their exception culturelle. Is the government restricting a form of cultural exchange by banning Halloween parties? Does the celebration of Halloween in African cities reflect a form of cultural exchange, made possible by globalisation?

A day after the ban, Edwin Mukiza offered a satirical look at the situation through a series of tweets, comprising a mock-interview of the minister:

“Interview with Culture Minister. Q. Hon. Minister, What have you done to promote Rwandan Culture?. A. “I have banned Halloween…..”.

“Q. But your head is clean shaven; was that part of Rwandan Culture? A. You see, one has to look smart. Besides we live in a global world.”

In these tweets, Mukiza is suggesting that even the minister can’t reject globalisation, he has to shave his head clean. The blurring of cultural boundaries makes it relevant to question what Rwandan or African culture today means and how much of this culture is influenced by external cultural practices. When a cultural practice as Halloween crosses borders, does it still maintain its roots or do the newer practitioners of the practice now own it, too? Can contemporary celebration of Halloween in African cities ever be called an African practice?

Edwin Mukiza, when asked what Halloween is, suggests a revealing description in a tweet: “It is when people wear crazy attires and drink lots of beer. All in the name of fun. (The African definition)”. Is this what Halloween means in Scotland? Edgar Batte, writing this time last year in Uganda’s The Monitor newspaper, said: “Halloween was first celebrated in the 16th Century and it represents a Scottish variant of the fuller All-Hallows with costumes won traditionally modelled after supernatural figures such as monsters, ghosts, skeletons, witches, and devils.”

The All Hallows Eve parade in Perth, Australia. Photo: Dundee Channel

Despite the connection of the celebration of Halloween to ancestral worship, it is unlikely that the demographic that attends Halloween parties in African cities are into the habit of African ancestral worship as is known. They probably look down on such, and term it “witchcraft” and other derogatory labels. The African Halloween can thus be described as a typical consumerist activity where a certain elite in African societies – known for their penchant for consuming everything manufactured in the West – come out in their numbers, donning typical Halloween costumes, but essentially use the date as an excuse to party away.

Kampala now has a vibrant Halloween celebratory culture. This year, there were several Halloween themed parties on the 31st of October at Mish Mash (Halloween Fright Night), Venom (Ghostbusters), Cayenne Restaurant (Halloween Fashion Party), Laftaz Comedy Lounge (Thriller Halloween Party) and on the 2nd of November at Club Beaujolais (Halloween Body Fashion Nite) and Gatto Matto’s Haunted Halloween Party. Unlike Rwanda, the Ugandan government seems to care less about what residents of Kampala do with their time and what cultural practices they participate in. Can it be said that this Ugandan government policy of not interfering with celebration of European cultural holidays is pro-globalisation? A deliberate effort at promoting cultural exchange? Can we indeed, characterise African celebration of Halloween as typical cultural exchange? Akua Djane disagrees. She writes in The New African:

“If Halloween came to Ghana from Nigeria for example, Ghanaians would call it “juju”, evil, occult. Something never to be practised! Ghanaians would have said: “What? You want me, my husband, and my children to go out dressed as ghosts, witches, and Satan? You want us to go to our neighbours and ask for a “treat” for our children? If they don’t get a treat, we should advise our children to play a trick on our neighbours? Are you crazy?” Yes, this would most likely be the response if Halloween had African roots and was introduced to Ghana from Nigeria or some other African country. But because Halloween came from “the whites”, Ghanaians and other Africans have embraced it, no questions asked! Poor Africa.”

Students in Uganda with pumpkins prepared for Halloween celebrations. Photo: Uganda Studies Program

The Africans Djane talks about are those with access to an infrastructure that exposes them to Western culture. As Mukiza tweeted, it is a minority of Africans that know about and celebrate Halloween. We may call this demographic a sort of elite, typically educated, exposed to the world beyond their borders and with some purchasing power. Can we say that this elite is important for cultural exchange? That all civilisations should have a class that is receptive of cultures other than their own? The problem comes with the particular history and context of Africa and the growth of this particular class. As Dabiri writes in Afro-Rebel (or why I am not an Afropolitan):

“It seems again that African progress is measured by the extent to which it can reproduce a Western lifestyle, now without having to physically be in the West. This doesn’t appear to signal any particular departure from the elites enduring love affair with achieving the lifestyles of their former masters.”

Whereas there is nothing wrong with the world becoming a global village and culture-sharing, if one end of the spectrum shares in the pursuit of a sort of approval, if the sharing is a mimic-act, then there is a problem. There is no exchanging in the true sense, there is no giving while taking. Africans consuming what is produced elsewhere in a search for ‘progress’ can’t be defined as a cultural exchange. Djane is more brutal. She accuses the celebrants of Halloween in Africa of hypocrisy, writing:

“It is so hypocritical the way we are killing our beliefs, traditions and cultures to buy into anything that comes from outside Africa. Even if that thing goes against everything we once believed in, it doesn’t matter as long as it comes from the white man’s land. Our people will not only accept it but will practise it even more fervently than the originators!” (article referenced above)

Does Djane’s perspective justify a ban on the celebration of Halloween parties in Africa? As Mukiza tweets, “how one uses one’s free time is no one else’s business… As long as it is not illegal.” The point Mukiza raises is important: personal liberty and the liberal mantra of individual freedom is important for Africa but something needs to be said about turning Africa into a field for cultural export, of Africans turning into consumers of everything and not producers of anything. True exchange involves sharing and mutual respect. It is thus important to think about the reasons that inform our celebration of Halloween, beyond the ‘we wanna have fun’ mantra. We need to think about the culture we produce and whether globalisation provides us with space to exchange with others on a level-playing field. Those who do not produce should not consume, but banning their consumption is to use a sledge hammer to swat a mosquito.

Your writing on TIA

Search Opinion

Now in African Identity

“They found peace and success internationally, and chose to come back and shine a light on their homes, and use their personal profiles to raise their communities.” Seasoned talent manager George Issaias with some eagle-eyed insight on how internationally-recognised African artists are giving back to the continent from whence they came.

The death of longtime Cuban ruler Fidel Castro last month led to tributes for the larger-than-life revolutionary leader from all over the world. In Africa, from the African Union’s headquarters in Addis Ababa to Harare and Pretoria, leaders praised Castro’s contribution to anti-colonial struggles on the continent.

Lagos-based poet and mental health specialist Dami Ajayi writes about Yaba Left and the journey of a disused railway building from being an asylum in the 1900s to becoming one of the biggest psychiatric hospitals in Nigeria today. He considers the scourge of mental illness in Lagos and the disparities between the perception of mental illness by mental health professionals and members of society at large.

Now in Sex & Relationships

The sex toy trade is flourishing across South Africa as couples are increasingly relaxed with the idea of buying adult toys. The negative social stigmas around the adult toy industry seem to be slowly crumbling. Désir a luxury sex toy e-commerce store is recording month-on-month increases in the sales of couples’ sex toys, and the company says the sale of sex toys is now evenly balanced between both sexes, as the subject becomes more acceptable.

In much of Africa, HIV is no longer the medieval plague it used to be. Which is not to say the virus still doesn’t pose a significant threat to the continent’s future. HIV is a wily fiend and our hard-earned gains can be quickly eroded if complacency slips in. Thankfully, as Kenyan HIV activist Jacqueline Wambui explains to Dr. Diana Wangari in this interview, science is helping keep the virus at bay by giving women greater control in the bedroom than they’ve traditionally had.

12-year-old Mary and 13-year-old Mercy (not their real names) were sexually abused by a deputy head teacher on numerous occasions and on diverse dates. He assaulted them in different places in and around their school. During the investigation, it also emerged that the teacher had been transferred from another school due to committing the same violations. He was a serial rapist. Period.

The position of the aide has allowed politicians to dispense political favours to friends, fans and relatives, but surely there is a limit to the number of aides one politician can have, writes Anne Mucheke.

Doomsday clock, a magazine founded by the people who built the atomic bomb, say we will probably edge closer to annihilation when Donald Trump takes over as president. The danger is not just because of nuclear weapons, but climate change as well. In a letter to African leaders, Mukoma wa Ngugi argues that Africa can offer the world an alternative dream of peaceful and clean-energy egalitarian societies.

Now in Interviews

In much of Africa, HIV is no longer the medieval plague it used to be. Which is not to say the virus still doesn’t pose a significant threat to the continent’s future. HIV is a wily fiend and our hard-earned gains can be quickly eroded if complacency slips in. Thankfully, as Kenyan HIV activist Jacqueline Wambui explains to Dr. Diana Wangari in this interview, science is helping keep the virus at bay by giving women greater control in the bedroom than they’ve traditionally had.

Egyptian human rights advocate, Yara Sallam, stood up to be counted when Egypt’s revolution was in full tilt and paid the price for it: fifteen months in prison. The prison spell did nothing to diminish her resolve and since her release last year, the outspoken activist has shown no signs of backing down from the fight to ensure that the powers that be uphold the human rights of every Egyptian. This Is Africa’s Nancy Onyango caught up with Sallam on the sidelines of the recently concluded Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) forum in Brazil. She opened up about why some North Africans don’t feel “African,” her experience behind bars and why she thinks Egypt’s revolution is far from over.

Amina Doherty is an African-Caribbean feminist and women’s rights advocate. Her work is centered on raising awareness for social justice through movement-building and innovative approaches to philanthropy. Her work takes many forms: art exhibitions, community programmes, cultural events and grant-making initiatives. She is committed to promoting justice and working towards social change through the intersection of art, culture and activism. Nancy Onyango caught up with her on the sidelines of the Black Feminisms Forum (BFF), held in Bahia, Brazil in September 2016 ahead of the 13th Association for Women’s Rights in Development forum. They talked about what it means to be a feminist, collective self-care and the importance of listening to each other’s struggles.

12-year-old Mary and 13-year-old Mercy (not their real names) were sexually abused by a deputy head teacher on numerous occasions and on diverse dates. He assaulted them in different places in and around their school. During the investigation, it also emerged that the teacher had been transferred from another school due to committing the same violations. He was a serial rapist. Period.

2016 has had numerous surprises, one being the shocking defeat of The Gambian President Yahya Jammeh in the country’s presidential election by property developer Adama Barrow. Jammeh has been in office for the past 22 years, and few people would have predicted a Jammeh loss, let alone the Gambian leader conceding defeat with a smile on his face, and pledging to oversee a smooth transition. Despite the grand gesture by Jammeh conceding defeat, it’s even more surprising that African leaders who took to social media to congratulate U.S. President-elect Donald Trump have been conspicuously silent in congratulating opposition leader Barrow. Could President-elect Barrow’s win be causing some jitters?

Today Tanzania celebrates its independence, attained on this day in 1961. We commemorate the 55th anniversary of the independence of Tanzania from British colonial rule. Happy Independence Day to our Tanzanian brothers and sisters.

Now in WTF

A Nigerian woman Miriam Shehu found out last weekend via Instagram that the man she had been engaged to for three years, Taiwo, had gotten married. She told the story Wednesday morning on Twitter and the drama that followed led to a worldwide trending topic.

The Kenya Film Classification Board has seen fit to step in and ban a networking event, despite the fact that they are seriously overstepping their mandate. Rest assured, heteronormative wife-swappers and swingers, Ezekiel Mutua is here to save the day.

Now in Arts

“They found peace and success internationally, and chose to come back and shine a light on their homes, and use their personal profiles to raise their communities.” Seasoned talent manager George Issaias with some eagle-eyed insight on how internationally-recognised African artists are giving back to the continent from whence they came.

Following the Pan-African writers’ collective Jalada Africa’s translation of “The Upright Revolution: Or Why Humans Walk Upright” by Ngugu wa Thiong’o, described as ‘the single most translated short story in the history of African writing’, they hosted an event with the author in Nairobi, focusing on literature in African languages, among other things. Oduor Jagero was there and examines what it means to write in African languages today.

Just a stone throw away from the cosmopolitan suburb of Sandton City in Johannesburg, the township of Alexandra is still home to some of the poorest families. Despite this, Alex, as it is more commonly known, has a rich history that dates back more than 100 years.